Bruins forward David Backes has been suspended three games for his interference penalty against Red Wings forward Frans Nielsen on Tuesday night, the National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety announced Wednesday.
The hit, which knocked Nielsen out of the game just moments after he scored a goal for the Red Wings, comes under the interference umbrella, with the league noting that Backes initiates the hit well after Nielsen surrendered possession of the puck.
"Backes does not initiate this hit until after the puck is gone and contact is made outside of the allowable window for finishing a check. In fact, at the moment contact is made, David Pastrnak has already gained possession for the Bruins and made his next move with the puck," the DoPS said in their video explanation.
The Department of Player Safety also explained that Nielsen's injury on the hit (as well as the penalty called on Backes) played a factor in their decision, and added that what made this hit rise to the level of supplemental discipline was "the significant head contact that occurs and the force with which it is delivered."
This is the first fine and/or suspension of David Backes' 848-game NHL career.
The Big Bad Blog is presented by:
